| American Shorthair | Bengal | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 12-16 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-15 lb | 8-15 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | Very high |
| Grooming | Low | Low |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| With kids | Good with kids | Not ideal for young kids |
The 'all-American working cat' story implies a hardy, mixed-heritage constitution, but this is a closed pedigree bred like any other purebred, and Cornell's feline health center lists American Shorthair among the breeds with an elevated rate of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the same silent heart disease people specifically worry about in Maine Coons.
Bengals carry real wild ancestor genetics from the Asian leopard cat, and depending how many generations removed a kitten is from that wild parent (F1 through F4), owning one is unrestricted, permit-only, or flatly illegal depending on your US state or city — a fact many sellers never mention until after money changes hands.
American Shorthair ·
Bengal
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.